MLK Day Weekend music: Lil Kim, DJ Khaled, Doug E. Fresh and more

Martin Luther King Jr. Day always brings about a sneaky-big music weekend. It doesn’t immediately hook you like, say, Labor Day or Memorial Day, but if you know where to look, there are always a number of buzzworthy shows in town, from big-name rappers to high-stepping drumlines. Here’s a roundup; if you know of more, leave 'em in the comments.

Straz Center: Tampa’s performing arts hall welcomes Floetry diva Marsha Ambrosius on Thursday and the DJ/string combo Black Violin, which takes the stage Friday as part of the Tampa Bay Black Heritage Festival Gala. This is no chamber-pop group — Black Violin has opened for the likes of Akon and the Wu-Tang Clan, and performed at the wedding of NFL star Santana Moss.

Club Skye: All he does is win, no matter what: DJ Khaled will lead the party at Club Skye’s MLK Weekend Takeover on Sunday, along with DJ Kirky C and Poison Dart, among others. Admission is $10 before 11 p.m. The first 100 ladies get in free, and there’s a Louis Vuitton bag giveaway. Click here.

IMAX Channelside: This could be the biggest party of the weekend, or it could be a bust — you know how these things go. Rappers Lil Kim and Trina are booked to appear Friday at the IMAX Channelside. Lil Kim herself apparently retweeted a tweet about the party, which we guess is what passes for a confirmation these days. Tickets are $30-$50, with all-access VIP tickets going for $150. What little info there is to be sussed out about this event can be found here.

Scene Premium Nightclub: A slew of local rappers will take the stage in the “Best of the Bay Bash” on Sunday, including Tom G. and Famous Kid Brick. Admission is $20-$25, with $40-$60 VIP tickets. Click here. And on Monday night, Tony Montana rapper Future will take the stage; tickets are $20 and up.

Amphitheatre: Last year, Club Skye hosted a Neon Xtreme dayglow party for MLK Day weekend. This year it’s Amphitheatre’s turn. Look for thousands of glowsticks and a huge array of DJs from 1 to 7 p.m. Sunday at the Amphitheatre in Ybor City. Tickets are $15-$25. Click here.

Plant City/Lakeland: If you live in East Hillsborough, or just feel like taking a drive, Motown singers The Contours will perform at the Red Rose Inn on Saturday evening. And during the day on Saturday, there will be a step competition at Bryant Stadium in Lakeland with an after party with Doug E. Fresh and Roscoe Dash. (Contrary to some listings online, Travis Porter won't be there.) Click here for the schedule.